JGA STUDY · SAVED-TEXT EVIDENCE EXPORT Original answer wording and recorded date preserved. Answer ID: S07-D-chatgpt-r1 Recorded UTC: 2026-10-19T21:25:12.368Z Product: ChatGPT Observation: 1 Collection country: UK Access: Logged out / Free guest Model label: ChatGPT Mode: default consumer guest chat; no forced search EXACT QUESTION Our Payroll Manager has handed in their notice at our medium-sized UK business. We need an agency to find a permanent replacement who can run UK payroll and complete a handover before the current manager leaves. Which agencies should we approach? FULL SAVED ANSWER For a medium-sized UK business replacing its Payroll Manager, I’d approach a shortlist of specialist payroll and HR recruiters alongside one or two established finance recruitment firms . Your requirement is more time-sensitive than a standard permanent hire: the new person needs to be capable of taking ownership of UK payroll and completing a structured handover before the incumbent leaves. I’d prioritise agencies that recruit experienced payroll professionals, can assess technical payroll knowledge and can move quickly. Agencies I’d approach first 1. Portfolio Payroll First call Best for: a dedicated payroll recruitment specialist Portfolio Payroll recruits permanent, temporary, contract and executive payroll professionals. Its permanent team and separate interim capability make it particularly relevant when you need a long-term replacement but cannot risk a gap in payroll cover. Portfolio Payroll +1 • Ask for: a permanent Payroll Manager shortlist plus an interim cover option. • Contact: [portfoliopayroll.com ](https://portfoliopayroll.com/payroll/recruitment-services/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) • London: 020 7247 9455. 2. JGA Recruitment Group Best for: payroll-specific expertise across the UK JGA specialises in payroll and HR recruitment and explicitly recruits Payroll Managers and payroll team leaders. Its sector focus makes it a strong option for finding someone with practical, hands-on payroll management experience. JGA Recruitment • Ask for: candidates who have personally run UK payroll end to end, not just supervised administrators. • Contact: [jgarecruitment.com ](https://jgarecruitment.com/payroll-jobs-london/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) • Telephone: 01727 800 377. 3. Payroll Elite Best for: an established payroll and HR specialist Payroll Elite focuses on payroll and HR recruitment throughout the UK, covering both permanent and contract appointments. It also describes candidate vetting and assessment as part of its service. Payroll Elite Payroll Recruitment +1 • Ask for: an experienced standalone Payroll Manager suited to a medium-sized employer. • Contact: [payrollelite.co.uk ](https://payrollelite.co.uk/About-Us.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com) • Telephone: 020 3815 7064. 4. Frazer Jones Best for: a more senior or strategic payroll appointment Frazer Jones offers permanent payroll recruitment, executive search and interim payroll recruitment. Consider it if the role includes payroll transformation, systems ownership, complex multi-entity payrolls or leadership of a larger team. Frazer Jones • Ask for: a sole UK Payroll Manager or senior payroll leader, depending on the scope. • Contact: [frazerjones.com — payroll recruitment](https://frazerjones.com/get-in-touch/book-a-consultation/payroll/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) . 5. CV Screen Best for: a straightforward permanent recruitment process CV Screen recruits payroll professionals across the UK, including Payroll Managers, and states that candidates are interviewed against the employer's requirements. It publishes a permanent placement fee of 15% of basic salary and a 100-day rebate arrangement; confirm the terms in writing. CV Screen • Ask for: a quick shortlist of technically screened, permanent candidates. • Contact: [cvscreen.co.uk ](https://cvscreen.co.uk/payroll-recruitment/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) • Telephone: 0345 200 8170. How I’d run the recruitment I’d contact Portfolio Payroll, JGA Recruitment and Payroll Elite on the same day , then use Frazer Jones if the role is particularly senior or complex. Give each agency the same brief and ask for these commitments: • Permanent hire: a realistic date for the first shortlist and an estimated start date. • Technical screening: proven UK PAYE, HMRC Real Time Information (RTI), National Insurance, statutory payments, pensions and year-end experience, as relevant to your payroll. • Systems experience: familiarity with your payroll software, or a comparable system. • Handover: confirmation that the candidate can start early enough to shadow the outgoing manager and take over critical deadlines. • Continuity cover: an interim payroll professional if the permanent hire cannot start before the incumbent leaves. • Commercial terms: placement fee, replacement guarantee, exclusivity and any interim rates. One important point: don't make the handover plan depend entirely on the new permanent hire starting in time. Ask the incumbent to document payroll calendars, HMRC submissions, pension deadlines, reconciliations, approval processes, recurring exceptions and key contacts while they are still available. A practical question before narrowing the shortlist Where in the UK is your business based, and roughly how long does the current Payroll Manager have left on their notice? Those two details would help me narrow the agencies to the best regional options and assess how urgently you should arrange interim cover. SOURCES S07-D-chatgpt-r1-P1 | provider_link | https://portfoliopayroll.com/payroll/recruitment-services/ S07-D-chatgpt-r1-P2 | provider_link | https://jgarecruitment.com/payroll-jobs-london/ S07-D-chatgpt-r1-P3 | provider_link | https://payrollelite.co.uk/About-Us.html S07-D-chatgpt-r1-P4 | provider_link | https://frazerjones.com/get-in-touch/book-a-consultation/payroll/ S07-D-chatgpt-r1-P5 | provider_link | https://cvscreen.co.uk/payroll-recruitment/ S07-D-chatgpt-r1-C1 | supporting_citation | https://theportfoliogroup.com/payroll/recruitment-services/ S07-D-chatgpt-r1-C2 | supporting_citation | https://theportfoliogroup.com/payroll/recruitment-services/ S07-D-chatgpt-r1-C3 | supporting_citation | https://jgarecruitment.com/payroll-jobs-london/ S07-D-chatgpt-r1-C4 | supporting_citation | https://payrollelite.co.uk/About-Us.html S07-D-chatgpt-r1-C5 | supporting_citation | https://payrollelite.co.uk/pdf/Payroll-Elite-Brochure.pdf S07-D-chatgpt-r1-C6 | supporting_citation | https://frazerjones.com/get-in-touch/book-a-consultation/payroll/ S07-D-chatgpt-r1-C7 | supporting_citation | https://cvscreen.co.uk/payroll-recruitment/